The objective of this work is to describe the agreement between body image (BI) and nutritional status (NS) as well as to verify the association of BI and NS with behaviors regarding body weight (BRBW) among Brazilian adolescents. In 2009, a random sample of students in 9th year at public and private schools from 26 Brazilian state capitals and Federal District was studied. It was used a self-administered questionnaire with information about BI, BRBW and socioeconomic factors. Weight and height were measured. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations between variables and weighted kappa test was used to verify the agreement between NS and BI. Twenty-four percent of the adolescents had excessive weight (EW) and 17.7% considered themselves fat. Almost 2/3 performed some action to weight control and 7% showed extreme behavior for weight control (EBWC). Low agreement between the NS and BI was observed. Nearly half and 27% of those with EW considered themselves as having normal weight and being thin, respectively. Greater proportion of EW adolescents had EBWC when compared with those with normal weight and underweight. The same was observed in relation to BI. Low agreement between EN and BI was observed. Practices for weight control were observed even among individuals with adequate NS.
Body image; Nutritional status; Weight control; Adolescents
